GSEM region ‘key to A Future Made in Australia’ and ‘critical’ to Australia’s manufacturing sector
The Federal Skills Minister Brendan O’Connor has declared that the Greater South East Melbourne region is “key to A Future Made in Australia”.
The Minister told the launch of the GSEM Jobs and Skills Roadmap – held in Parliament House, Canberra, on Wednesday 26 June 2024 – that the GSEM Roadmap will provide him with inspiration in helping regions right across the country.
“It will help inform me about how other regions of Australia can take the best approach to ensuring that we have successful economies, good jobs and of course, ultimately, a successful nation,” he said.
The Minister said: “Planning for skills needs is critical at a time when the economy and labour market are rapidly changing”.
He said that GSEM and the Federal Government “both understand the need for greater collaboration … we both get the need for strategic planning to address current workforce requirements.”
“We understand the importance of improving equity, inclusive growth and reducing disadvantage in our VET (Vocational Education and Training) sector,” he said.
The Minister also invited GSEM to engage with the government to help ensure better analysis of the labour market and to better understand “the mega trends in the national and local economies in order to invest in education and training in areas of existing and growing demand”.
The Minister invited the GSEM region to continue to engage closely with Jobs And Skills Australia and the national Jobs and Skills Councils “given how critical you are to the manufacturing sector of this country”.
Greater South East Melbourne Chair Simon McKeon said:
“The launch of our critical GSEM Jobs and Skills Roadmap could not have been more successful.”
“We are delighted that the work GSEM has undertaken in producing the roadmap will be an inspiration for regions and areas across Australia to strengthen local economies and provide the skills for workers to achieve productive, well-paid and satisfying jobs.”
“We are also looking forward to working collaboratively with government at all levels to deliver for the workers and employers of the GSEM region.”
Who was at the launch
More that 50 people attended the launch of the GSEM Jobs and Skills Roadmap in Parliament House, Canberra on the evening of Wednesday 26 June 2024.
In launching the Roadmap, Federal Skills Minister Brendan O’Connor said the turnout of ministers and senior MPs for the GSEM launch was impressive.
List of some of the attendees:
· The Hon Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister
· The Hon Senator Don Farrell, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
· The Hon Andrew Giles, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
· The Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
· The Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Minister for Skills and Training
· The Hon Clare O’Neil, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Cyber Security
· Jodie Belyea MP, Member for Dunkley
· Mary Doyle MP, Member for Aston
· Cassandra Fernando MP, Member for Holt
· Carina Garland MP, Member for Chisholm
And GSEM Jobs and Skills Roadmap launch fabulous hosts
· Julian Hill MP, Member for Bruce
· Zoe McKenzie MP, Member for Flinders
GSEM Mayors
· Cr Lana Formoso, Mayor, City of Greater Dandenong
· Cr Nicky Luo, Mayor, City of Monash
· Cr Simon Brooks, Mayor, Mornington Peninsula Shire
· Cr Jenna Davey-Burns, Mayor City of Kingston
· Cr Jack Kowarzik, Mayor, Cardinia Shire Council
· Cr Nathan Conroy, Mayor, Frankston City Council
· Cr Jude Dwight, Mayor, Knox City Council
GSEM Board members
· Margaret Fitzherbert
· James Merlino
· Simon McKeon AO
A Future Made in Australia is the Albanese Government's $23 billion budget plan to rebuild the manufacturing sector and support regional jobs while slashing greenhouse gas emissions.